Thursday, June 20, 2013 (read 354 times)

Things to do in Barcelona

Barcelona is the fifteenth most visited city in the world according to Forbes. It has a unique atmosphere that is both relaxed and fun and once you’ve been, you’ll surely be coming back for more!

Barcelona Beach

Barceloneta Beach is a golden sandy beach in Barcelona located a 20-minute train ride away from Las Ramblas, undoubtedly Barcelona’s most famous street. The train stop is called Barceloneta so it is impossible to miss your stop even if you don’t know the area! Barceloneta is one of the most popular beaches in Barcelona due to its convenient location; so arrive early in order to reserve a good spot on the sand! The weather is Barcelona can be quite varied: in previous years, the sunny weather has lasted right up until October, however this is not always the case so be sure to check the weather forecast before embarking on a trip to the seaside. Besides classic beach activities like swimming and building sandcastles, there is a whole host of other activities to get involved in such as windsurfing and kite surfing. If you’re not feeling so energetic, there is always the option of curling up with a good book!

Shopping in Barcelona

Along las Ramblas there are dozens of restaurants and shops to be explored and enjoyed however, expect to see elevated prices due to the sheer volume of visitors that descend upon this legendary boulevard on a daily basis. To make the most of the great summer atmosphere, you may like to purchase a pitcher of sangria at one of the many bars or cafes located along the famous street. Basking in the sun and sipping on this cool refreshing beverage is a great way to look and feel the part in this very classy city. There is a famous drinking fountain located at the top of Las Ramblas. Legend has it that the people who drink from this fountain will always return to the city of Barcelona. The main reason that people visit Las Ramblas is, of course, for the fabulous selection of SHOPS! Much of the shopping district is pedestrianized allowing shoppers to meander from store to store without the hassle of dodging traffic. Las Ramblas offers a mind-blowing selection of shops from designer brands such as Calvin Klein and Versace to classic Spanish high street chain-stores such as Zara and Mango. There is something to suit everyone’s taste and budget size in Las Ramblas, even charming little boutiques for lovers of one-off pieces! There are LOTS of gorgeous shops to tempt you into parting with your hard-earned cash so make sure you save your pennies before venturing into this expensive part of town.

The Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is a MUST see attraction during any trip to Barcelona. The building itself is a giant temple designed by world-renowned architect, Antonio Gaudi. It has been under construction since the 1880’s and approximately 50 years worth of building work still remains. Admission to the Sagrada Familia costs 13 EUR per person and tickets can be purchased online. It is possible to save 16% on the normal entry price by purchasing the Barcelona card which entitles the holder to free public transport across the city as well as discounts on entry fees to major attractions like the Sagrada Familia and exclusive offers at popular bars and restaurants. Antonio Gaudi is admired by architects all over the world. His style is distinctive and examples of his work can be seen all over the city. The greatest example is of course the Sagrada Familia. Due to the fact that construction-works have been going on for more than a century now, you may notice a change in the color of the brickwork as you look around this magnificent building. Gaudi himself died in the 1920’s so now it is the job of modern day architects to interpret Gaudi’s designs and try to create something similar to what the great man himself had in mind.

Museums in Barcelona

ThePicasso museum is the most visited gallery in Barcelona receiving in excess of a million visitors every year! This art museum is home to one of the biggest collections of Picasso’s work arranged in chronological order by the curators of the museum. In this way, visitors can get an insight into the development of Picasso’s thoughts and how he developed the unique artistic style that we know and love today. Entry to the Picasso Museum costs 11 EUR per person. If you are an art-lover, this art gallery is highly recommended. The Fundación de Joan Miró is another famous museum in Barcelona. It is worth a visit, not just for the art, but for the fabulous view of Barcelona which you get from the top of the building. This particular museum is home to the biggest collection of Catalan artwork in Spain including paintings, sculptures, enamels and carvings. If you are interested in learning the meanings of the words realism, modernism and new-classicism, then this museum is for you!